Visual by: Abiskar Banikya
Endometriosis is a disorder in which the tissue which normally lines up the uterus grows outside the uterus. In Endometriosis, the tissue can be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the intestines and the tissue lining inside the pelvis region. While Endometriosis is a painful condition, it is not considered a fatal disease. However in very rare conditions, the endometrial tissue can be or may be found beyond the area where the pelvic organs are located.
In endometriosis, the endometrial-like-tissue thickens, breaks down and bleeds with the menstrual cycle. However, finding no place to exit the body, it gets trapped. When it involves the ovaries, cysts known as endometriomas may be formed. As a result of which the tissue which surrounds can have the possibility to develop scar tissues, bands of fibrous tissue which can lead to the pelvic tissues and organs to stick to each other. Endometriosis can sometimes lead to severe pain during menstrual periods and fertility problems may also develop during this.
Some of the Symptoms related to Endometriosis-
The initial symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain which is very often found to be associated with menstrual periods as some women with endometriosis suffer from severe menstrual pain. Some of the common symptoms of Endometriosis are-
1)Pain during menstruation
Period cramps may begin before and extend many days into a menstrual period. You might also come across abdominal and lower back pain.
2)Pain during sexual intercourse
Pain during the time of Intercourse or after intercourse can be seen in a person with endometriosis.
3)Pain during urination
This is another common symptom for endometriosis.
4)Excessive bleeding
During menstruation, heavy menstrual periods or heavy bleeding between periods can be encountered.
5)Infertility
Infertility may be also faced by a woman with endometriosis. As it is first diagnosed in those who are taking treatments for fertility.
Other symptoms- may also include fatigue, constipation bloating mainly during periods.
Some Causes of Endometriosis
1)Disorder of immune system– The problem in the immune system can make the body unable to know and destroy the endometrial-like tissues growing outside the uterus.
2) Endometrial cell transportation– The blood vessels may transport the endometrial cells to various parts of the body.
3) Retrograde menstruation– Menstrual blood consisting of the endometrial cells flows back through the fallopian tubes into the pelvic cavity instead of moving out from the body. These cells stick to the walls of the pelvis and surfaces of the pelvic organs where they grow and continue to thicken in size as well as bleed during the course of menstrual cycle.
4)Surgical scar implantation– As a result of a surgery, C section, and endometrial cells may attach to a surgical incision.
5) Transformation of the peritoneal cells– According to the experts, they support the hormones that promote transformation of peritoneal cells i.e. the cells that line the inner side of the abdomen.
These were some of the causes, resulting from Endometriosis.
Some of the Risks that may lead to Endometriosis–
A number of risks may lead to the emergence of endometriosis. Some of the risks include the starting of periods at an early age, never giving birth, going through menopause at old age, short menstrual cycles, heavy bleeding, having large amount of estrogen in the body, low body mass, genetic transmission of endometriosis, reproductive disorders, etc. Endometriosis mainly develops many years after the onset of menstruation.
Complications resulting from Endometriosis–
1)Problems in fertility– Endometriosis mainly results in birth complications. Approx. one-third of women face difficulties to get pregnant due to endometriosis. For pregnancy, an egg must be released from the ovary and travel through the fallopian tube, should be fertilized by sperm cells and vice versa. However, endometriosis may obstruct the fallopian tube and may separate the egg and sperm from meeting. However, women with moderate endometriosis still entitle a good amount of chance to be pregnant or may be able to conceive a baby.
2)Cancer– Some possibilities might also be there of ovarian cancer resulting from endometriosis. However the risk of this is likely low but it might happen that endometriosis might also lead to endometriosis associated with adenocarcinoma which may develop in the later stages.
If any woman comes across the above mentioned symptoms and signs, then it is compulsory to see a doctor as soon as possible.
